Red wine has properties that are actually healthy, does Shiraz fall into this class of healthy red wines?

Question

There has been a bit in the news over the past few years about how red wine and various anti oxidants found in red wine are actually good for you. Is Shiraz considered one of these such wines, or is it strictly cabernet sauvignon? What about Merlot, does it contain the healthy anti oxidants?

Answer 1

it is in all red wine (but not at the same "strength") ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wine It turned out that grapes grown without fungicides develop fungi-protecting chemicals, which happen to have those heart-beneficial properties. Muscat grapes have been found to have those chemicals in concentrations five times stronger than other kinds of grapes.

ANTI-CANCER & CORONARY BENEFITS
Moderate consumption of red wine on a regular basis may be a preventative against coronary disease and some forms of cancer. The chemical components thought to be responsible are catechins, also known as flavanoids. Catechins are believed to function as anti-oxidants, preventing molecules known as "free-radicals" from doing cellular damage. There are also compounds in grapes and wine (especially red wine, grape juice, dark beers and tea, but absent in white wine, light beers and spirits) called resveratrol and quercetin. Clinical and statistical evidence and laboratory studies have shown these to boost the immune system, block cancer formation, and possibly protect against heart disease and even prolong life.

http://www.winepros.org/wine101/wine-health.htm One recent study, published in the 2004 year-end edition of the American Journal of Physiology, indicates that resveratrol also inhibits formation of a protein that produces a condition called cardio fibrosis, which reduces the heart's pumping efficiency when it is needed most, at times of stress. More evidence suggests that wine dilates the small blood vessels and helps to prevent angina and clotting. The alcohol in wine additionally helps balance cholesterol towards the good type.

Answer 2

All wines are good for you, if not done in excess.........But the reds are the best.......


Shiraz is a grape variety widely used to make a dry red table wine. Shiraz is often vinified on its own, but is also frequently blended with other grape varieties, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Grenache, Mourvèdre and Viognier. It is grown in many wine producing regions around the world.

Recently, Australian Shiraz producers have started to add up to 4% Viognier to their Shiraz to add apricot tones to the wine's nose and palette. With such a small percentage added, the producer wasn't obliged to declare the blend on the label. In the past 5 years however, it's becoming increasingly fashionable to label the wine Shiraz Viognier as Viognier gains consumer acceptance in the market place. The practise of blending Viognier with Syrah is actually common for years in the Northern Rhône Valley region of France.[5]

Many premium Shiraz-based wines are at their best after some considerable time aged in a cellar (10-15 years). In Australia, Shiraz is also used to make the unique "sparkling Shiraz", a deep-red sparkling wine which also ages well. There is also a small amount of rosé wine produced from the Syrah grape. Before the popularity of Australian Shiraz wine it was very often used to make port.[6] A number of Australian winemakers also make a full-bodied sparkling dry shiraz, a red bubbly, that contains the complexity and sometimes earthy notes that are normally found in still wine.[7]

Answer 3

Researchers at University of California at Davis have concluded that full-bodied dry red wines contain the highest levels of flavonoids and provide the greatest benefits. The number one wine for supplying the most flavonoids is Cabernet Sauvignon with Petite Syrah and Pinot Noir also ranking highly. Sweeter wines such as Zinfandel and white wines have less flavonoids and are less beneficial.

Answer 4

Pinot noir is the wine with the most reservatrol (twice to three time more than other grape) a substance that prevent cancer. The guide line for healthy wine consumption are 2 to 3(man) glasses a day WITH food...

Answer 5

All red wines contain the antioxidants. So do tomatoes.

Answer 6

Yes, shiraz is fine.

Answer 7

You can try this one.